Canine Companions for Independence of Medford Provides first District Attorney Facility Dog in NY

***The 2-Year-Old Labrador/Golden Retriever Mix Provided by Canine Companions for Independence of Medford is the First Facility Dog Utilized by a NYC Prosecutor ***

STATEN ISLAND, NY - Richmond County District Attorney
Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. has introduced the office’s newest employee: “Bronksey,” a two-year-old Black Labrador/Golden Retriever mix who has been specially trained to aid victims of crimes.

Bronksey is the first facility dog utilized by a New York
City prosecutor to comfort and ease the anxiety of victims or witnesses
as they go through the overwhelming criminal justice process. He was donated to the office by Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) of Medford, NY, a non-profit organization that breeds, trains, and places dogs for a variety of uses, including as therapy dogs and assistance dogs for the disabled.

D.A. Donovan first learned about the use of facility dogs by prosecutors while he was attending a conference in Nashville, Tenn., as the New York State Representative to the National District Attorney’s Association (NDAA).

“As a prosecutor, I feel obligated to do everything I can to make it easier for
victims of crime, who must constantly relive what was likely the most
physically, psychologically and emotionally traumatizing experience of their
lives as they go through the criminal justice process,” D.A. Donovan said.

“There is something magical about the presence or touch of a
loving dog that helps victims forget their pain and fear, if just for a moment,
and be able to concentrate on moving forward and healing,” Donovan added.

While the use of facility dogs in criminal justice settings
is fairly new, early results indicate that canines help generate more positive
outcomes for victims by helping them to testify more lucidly and making them
more willing to participate in the judicial process.

“Courthouse placements are new and innovative. More and
more jurisdictions are exploring and applying for CCI Facility dogs for their
courthouses,” said CCI Executive Director Debra Dougherty.

“These placements are exemplary of the animal-human bond
mostly because animals are non-judgmental, live in the moment and are always
happy to have that human companionship. We were delighted to hear the success
the DA's office is experiencing already, and we look forward to hearing about
many more successes Bronksey will have in helping a victim testify in court
about a painful incident,” Dougherty added.

Medical studies have shown that the mere presence
of a friendly animal can result in decreased anxiety, lower blood pressure and
heart rate, an elevation of mood, increased speech and memory functions and
heightened mental clarity.

The effect of a friendly facility dog on children,
in particular, is immediate and profound. Just last week, a 12-year-old boy was
waiting to testify to a Staten Island Grand Jury about the abuse he suffered at
the hands of a relative. The boy was visibly anxious and scared. But when
Bronksey approached, the boy immediately smiled and began to play with the dog
– and seemed to forget the horrible experience he was about to relay to the
Grand Jury.

The boy was able to summon the courage to testify,
and afterward, his mother thanked the D.A.’s staff and Bronksey for helping her
and child get through the difficult process.

About CCI and Bronksey’s Training:

Puppies are selected at eight-weeks old and placed with volunteer
puppy raisers, who teach them basic commands and socialization skills. When the
dog is between 14-16 months old, the puppy raisers return the dog to one of
CCI’s regional training centers for six months of advanced training, where they
will master over 50 specialized commands.

During the first two weeks,
the dogs are screened, undergoing x-rays and medical tests as well as tests to
evaluate their temperaments. In the final two weeks, the dogs are
matched with their recipients for team training – in the Bronksey’s case, he
was matched with handlers are Victim Advocate Mary Santamorita and Senior Detective
Investigator Kevin Ivany of the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office.

CCI assistance dogs are provided free of charge thanks to
the generosity of donors. The cost to breed, raise, train, and provide ongoing
support for each dog is estimated to exceed $45,000.